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Agriculture Equipment Sales Decline In 2014

Agricultural equipment manufacturers and farmers say machinery sales have fallen recently because of lower commodity prices and changes to a federal tax break. Shawn Berry said at a sales event in South Dakota that the Ohio-based company he represents could ...

Mnet 36099 Farm Equipment Sales Ap

In this Aug. 19, 2014 photo, attendees to Dakotafest view the different farm machinery during the 3-day agricultural industry trade show in Mitchell, S.D. Agricultural equipment manufacturers and farmers say machinery sales have fallen recently because of lower commodity prices and changes to a federal tax break. (AP Photo/Argus Leader, Jay Pickthorn)

Agricultural equipment manufacturers and farmers say machinery sales have fallen recently because of lower commodity prices and changes to a federal tax break.

Shawn Berry said at a sales event in South Dakota that the Ohio-based company he represents could end this fiscal year up to 30 percent short in sales in some areas of the country compared to last year.

John Horter owns a farm in Andover, South Dakota. He says the slump in income has forced him to delay some equipment upgrades.

The tax deduction that allowed farmers to write-off equipment upgrades dropped dramatically this year, from $500,000 in 2013 to $25,000 for 2014.

Farm equipment prices vary widely. A tractor can run between $40,000 and $200,000, while a combine for grain harvesting can cost $400,000.

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